The Spice & Tea Exchange
The Spice & Tea Exchange franchises operate retail stores that sell spices, herbs, teas, spice blends, rubs, olive oil, salts, sugars, candles, honeys, and related products and accessories in a distinctive environment following the franchisor's System. Franchisees can pursue a Unit Franchise for a single store or an Area Development agreement to open and operate multiple stores in a defined geographic area. The business model relies on retail sales to consumers interested in gourmet culinary ingredients, teas, and accessories, targeting home cooks, food enthusiasts, and gift shoppers.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
7% royalty (greater of 7% of Gross Sales or $1,750/mo) + 1% System Development Fee + $300-$800/mo Subscription, Support & Inventory Management Fee + $90-$150/mo Integrated Music System Fee
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: Data for average gross revenue and median gross revenue is based on 83 franchised units and 1 company-owned unit open for the full calendar year 2024 (Section I - All Comparable Units). Data for average gross profit is based on 35 multi-unit franchised stores open for the full calendar year 2024 (Section II - Multi-Unit Owned Stores).
* Average gross revenue is for 'Average Gross Sales – All Franchised Units' from Chart I-A (Section I) for 2024. Median gross revenue is from the notes for Chart I-A (Section I) for 2024. Average gross profit is for 'Average Gross Margin (dollars) - Multi-Unit Stores' from Chart II-B (Section II) for 2024, as this was the only explicit franchised gross margin data available (Chart I-B combined franchised and company-owned units). No net income, net profit, or EBITDA data was provided, nor sufficient expense data to estimate a net profit range.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How The Spice & Tea Exchange Compares to Other Specialty Food Franchises
Key Insights
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Specialty Food
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Spice & Tea Exchange Current | $299K - $532K | $39K | 7.0% | 93 |
| EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS | $214K - $587K | $30K | 5.0% | 680 |
| HONEYBAKED HAM AND THE HONEYBAKED HAM AND CAFE CO. | $581K - $877K | $15K | 6.0% | 208 |
| CANTEEN | $9K - $44K | $3K | 5.3% | 100 |
| GRAZE CRAZE | $167K - $326K | $50K | 6.0% | 89 |
| DOC POPCORN | $175K - $414K | $15K | 6.0% | 79 |
Specialty Food Average 13 franchises | $277K - $556K | $33K | 5.8% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 13 Specialty Food franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+23 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for The Spice & Tea Exchange franchisees (2013 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
Unlock Franchisee Contact Database
156 franchisee contacts on file. Upgrade to see names, locations, phone numbers, and matched SBA loan data.
Upgrade to Pro$199/year · Cancel anytime
Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
No litigation involving franchisees reported in the FDD.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a The Spice & Tea Exchange franchise?
The total initial investment to open a The Spice & Tea Exchange franchise ranges from $298,560 to $532,150. This includes a franchise fee of $38,750. Ongoing royalty fees are 7.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a The Spice & Tea Exchange franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a The Spice & Tea Exchange franchise is $542,747. The median revenue is $486,926.
How many The Spice & Tea Exchange franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, The Spice & Tea Exchange has 93 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 2008.
Can you get an SBA loan for a The Spice & Tea Exchange franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for The Spice & Tea Exchange franchises. Historical data shows 41 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for The Spice & Tea Exchange franchisees, with an average loan amount of $210,915. The historical default rate is 2.4%.
Is The Spice & Tea Exchange a good franchise to buy?
The Spice & Tea Exchange shows several positive indicators: transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
Interested in The Spice & Tea Exchange?
Talk to a franchise advisor to get personalized guidance and learn if The Spice & Tea Exchange is the right fit for you.
Talk to an Advisor